Combined data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system

ABSTRACT

An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. In one configuration, a data reader such as a bar code scanner is equipped with an EAS deactivation module disposed behind the scanner surface preferably downstream and/or upstream of the scanner window. The system may be configured such that the EAS deactivation module is interchangeable from the right side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for left-to-right scanning motion) to the left side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for right-to-left scanning motion). In other configurations, the deactivation module may be disposed in the housing adjacent to the window and oriented longitudinally and parallel to the sweep direction of the item. The EAS deactivation modules have various configurations such as simple planar coils, a magnetically active core with coil windings, or two part L-shape construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention relates to data reading systems andelectronic article security (EAS) systems. In particular, a method andapparatus are described herein for integrating a data reading systemsuch as a bar code scanner with an EAS system.

In both retail checkout and inventory control environments, items aretypically provided with readable tags or labels such as bar codes orRFID tags. Data reading devices such as barcode scanners and RFIDreaders are provided at the checkout station to read the codes or tagsand obtain the data contained therein. The data may be used to identifythe article, its price, and other characteristics or information relatedto checkout or inventory control. These data readers automate theinformation retrieval to facilitate and speed the checkout process. Thusdata readers such as bar code scanners are pervasive at retail checkout.

Scanners generally come in three types: (a) handheld, such as thePowerScan™ scanner, (b) fixed and installed in the countertop such asthe Magellan® scanner, or (c) a hybrid scanner such as the Duet® scannerusable in either a handheld or fixed mode. Each of these scanners ismanufactured by PSC Inc. of Eugene, Oreg. In a typical operation, retailclerk uses either a handheld scanner to read the barcode symbols on thearticles one at a time or passes the articles through the scan field ofthe fixed scanner one at a time. The clerk then places the articles intoa shopping bag or other suitable container.

Though bar codes provide for rapid and accurate item identification atcheckout, the bar codes do not provide for item security against theft.Electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems have employed eitherreusable EAS tags or disposable EAS tags to monitor articles to preventshoplifting and unauthorized removal of articles from store. ReusableEAS tags are normally removed from the articles before the customerexits the store. Disposable EAS tags are generally attached to thepackaging by adhesive or are disposed inside item packaging. These tagsremain with the articles and must be deactivated before they are removedfrom the store by the customer. Deactivation devices use coils which areenergized to generate a magnetic field of sufficient magnitude to renderthe EAS tag inactive. Once deactivated, the tags are no longerresponsive to the incident energy of the EAS system so that an alarm isnot triggered.

In one type of deactivation system the checkout clerk passes thearticles one at a time over a deactivation device to deactivate the tagsand then places the articles into a shopping bag or other container.This system employs a deactivation coil (or coils) in a separate housingdisposed horizontally within the counter typically downstream of thefixed scanner. The clerk moves the tagged articles through the scanvolume scanning the bar code and then subsequently moves the item acrossthe horizontal top surface of the deactivation coil housing such thatthe tag is disposed generally coplanar with the coil.

Some retail establishments having high volumes find it desirable toexpedite and facilitate the checkout process including the scanning ofthe bar code data and the deactivation of the EAS tags. In the typicalpoint of sale (POS) location such as the checkout counter of a retailcheckout station, counter space is limited. In one system, an EASdeactivation coil is disposed around the horizontal scan window of atwo-window “L” shaped scanner such as the Magellan® scanners. In such asystem, bar code scanning and EAS tag deactivation presumably areaccomplished over the same scan volume. However, the present inventorshave recognized that such a configuration may not best accommodate theexpected motion of items through the checkout station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an integrated data reader and EASsystem, and methods of operation. In a preferred configuration, a datareader such as a bar code scanner is equipped with EAS deactivationmodules disposed behind the scanner surface upstream and/or downstreamof the scanner window(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram in a front perspective view of a combineddata reader and EAS system according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left side plan view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram in a front perspective view of the systemof FIG. 1 illustrated with the housing and weigh platter removed.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a left side plan view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram in a front right perspective view of acombined data reader and EAS system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front right left perspective view of the system of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram in a front left perspective view of thesystem of FIG. 7 illustrated with the housing and weigh platter removed.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram in a front right perspective view of thesystem of FIG. 7 illustrated with the housing and weigh platter removed.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram in a front right perspective view of thesystem of FIGS. 7-10, with the EAS coil unit inverted to the left sideof the system.

FIG. 12 is a front left perspective view of the system of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is perspective view of a combined data reader and EAS systemaccording to an alternate embodiment with deactivation unit(s) disposedin a vertical section of the reader.

FIG. 14 is perspective view of a combined data reader and EAS systemaccording to an alternate embodiment, the data reader installed in acheckout counter and having multi-dimensional deactivation unit(s).

FIG. 15 is a left side plan view of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is perspective view of a combined data reader and EAS systemaccording to an alternate embodiment with a deactivation unit disposedlongitudinally between the horizontal and vertical sections of thereader.

FIG. 17 is a left side plan view of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is perspective view of a combined data reader and EAS systemaccording to an alternate embodiment with a deactivation unit disposedlongitudinally at the proximal end of the horizontal section distal fromthe vertical section.

FIG. 19 is a left side plan view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is perspective view of a combined data reader and EAS systemaccording to an alternate embodiment with a deactivation unit disposedlongitudinally at the upper end of the vertical section distal from thehorizontal section.

FIG. 21 is a left side plan view of FIG. 20.

FIGS. 22-23 illustrate a combined EAS and bar code reader with scalesystem having two load cells.

FIG. 24 illustrates another combined EAS and bar code reader with scalesystem having one load cell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings. To facilitate description, any referencenumeral representing an element in one figure will represent the sameelement in any other figure.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a combined data reader and EAS system 10 accordingto a first preferred embodiment. Referring primarily to FIGS. 1-3, thesystem 10 includes an outer housing 12 with a lower housing section 20containing a horizontal window 22 and an upper housing section 40containing a vertical window 42. The lower housing section 20 includes ascale system supporting the weigh platter 30. The weigh platter 30 maycomprise a single plane, or may comprise multiple planes as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,834,708 hereby incorporated by reference when thescanner-scale comprises a two-plane or vertical plane scanner. Thoughthe system 10 is illustrated as a two-plane scanner with horizontalwindow 22 and vertical window 42, the system may alternately comprise asingle window, either horizontal or vertical.

The system 10 includes one or two EAS coil units 50 a, 50 b eachpreferably encased in a plastic enclosure. The coil units 50 a, 50 b areeach disposed between the weigh platter 30 and the bottom inner scanhousing 24, but laterally outside the horizontal window 22 (that is, tothe left or right as from the position of FIGS. 1-2) so as to notinterfere with the scan pattern being generated and projected out window22.

Various components of the system 10, such as the enclosure 40/20 andeven the platter 30, may be constructed of any suitable material, butare preferably constructed of a plastic or other suitable material thatdoes not interfere with the magnetic fields produced by the coils.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the system 10 with portions of the housing removedto better illustrate the internal components. The system 10 includes afirst laser module and collector assembly 58 a disposed on one side ofthe unit producing a first laser beam directed onto one side of thepolygon mirror 59 and a second laser beam and collector assembly 58 bdisposed on the other side of the unit from the first assembly 58 aproducing a first laser beam directed onto one side of the polygonmirror 59. The first and second reading beams are scanned by the polygonmirror 59 across pattern mirrors 53 in the lower housing section 20,usually reflecting off a first (primary) pattern mirror and then asecond (secondary) mirror with some of the scan lines being formed byreflection off a third (tertiary) pattern mirror, and then all the scanlines being directed out through one of the windows 22, 42 projecting acomplex scan pattern into the scan volume. Alternately, the only asingle laser diode may be required generating a laser beam which issplit by a beam splitter into a first and second reading beams, thefirst reading beam being directed onto the first side of the polygonmirror 59 and the second reading beam being directed onto the secondside of the polygon mirror 59.

The system 10 of FIGS. 1-3 is illustrated with two coil units 50 a and50 b, but the system may be operative with one coil unit or two coilunits. In a first configuration, the system 10 is provided with only onecoil unit. Presuming that the scanner 10 is installed in a checkoutcounter with the flow of goods going from left-to-right (as viewed inFIGS. 1-6), the coil unit 50 a is disposed downstream of the scanvolume. Items are passed left-to-right over the window 22 and throughthe scan volume where the scanner reads the optical code. Once thescanner has read the optical code on the item and identified it, in thesame motion, the item is passed through the deactivation field of thecoil unit 50 a which is in communication with the scanner anddeactivates the EAS tag on the item. Alternately, the system may beinstalled in a checkout counter with the flow of goods going fromright-to-left (as viewed in FIGS. 1-6), with the coil unit 50 b disposeddownstream of the scan volume. Items are passed right-to-left over thewindow 22 and through the scan volume where the scanner reads theoptical code. Once the scanner has read the optical code on the item andidentified it, in the same motion, the item is passed through thedeactivation field of the coil unit 50 b which is in communication withthe scanner and deactivates the EAS tag on the item. In a single coilunit configuration, the other coil unit may be omitted yielding costsavings. In any of these configurations, the deactivation field and thescan volume may overlap.

In yet another embodiment, the system may comprise two coil units 50 a,50 b. The coil units 50 a and 50 b comprise different functions. Forexample, presuming that the scanner 10 is installed in a checkoutcounter with the flow of goods going from right-to-left (as viewed inFIGS. 1-6), the coil unit 50 a is disposed upstream of the scan volumeand the coil unit 50 b is disposed downstream of the scan volume. Itemsare passed right-to-left over the window 22 and through the scan volumewhere the scanner reads the optical code. The downstream coil 50 b maybe configured and operable for deactivating an EAS tag and the upstreamcoil unit 50 a may be configured and operable to sense an EAS tag. Inoperation, the upstream coil 50 a senses the presence of an EAS tag evenbefore the item is scanned thus alerting the system 10 that the itembeing scanned has an EAS tag. Once the scanner has read the optical codeon the item and identified it, in the same motion, the item is passedthrough the deactivation field of the downstream coil unit 50 b, whichhas been alerted by the upstream of the presence of the EAS tag, andwhich deactivates the EAS tag.

The coil unit 50 a may be physically and electrically integrated intothe scanner to a range of varying degrees. The unit is disposedlaterally in a cavity between the weigh platter and the lower enclosure24. The unit 50 a is also disposed laterally of the lower window 26 toavoid interfering with the scan beam projected off the lower mirrorarray and through the lower window 26. The coil unit 50 a is mounted ona mounting bracket or coil mount 56. The coil mount 56 is mounted onto aside of the lower enclosure 24.

The above-described construction is just one example for mounting andpositioning the coil units 50 a, 50 b. In one alternative, the coilunits 50 a, 50 b may be integrated into the lower enclosure 24 ormounted directly thereto. In another alternative, the coil units 50 a,50 b may be mounted to or even integrated or otherwise incorporated intothe platter 30.

Since the scanner may be installed in a checkout counter in either aleft-to-right or right-to-left configuration, the coil unit 50 a ispreferably constructed to be interchangeable and usable in the positionof the unit 50 b. FIGS. 7-12 illustrate an alternate embodiment for asystem 100 in which the deactivator coil units are interchangeable.

The system 100 comprises a two plane scanner in the same configurationas the previous embodiment with a vertical window 142 disposed in theupper housing section 140 and a horizontal window 122 disposed in theweigh platter 130 of the lower housing section 120. The EAS coil unit150 is disposed beneath the weigh platter 130 mounted via the coil mount156. Alternately, the system 100 may comprise a vertical scanner window142 only (the lower window 122 omitted) the lower housing section 120being configured with or without the weigh platter and scale. In yetanother alternative, the unit may comprise a horizontal scanner, withthe horizontal window 122 only, the upper housing section 140 beingomitted.

Returning to describing the illustrated configuration illustrated, theweigh platter 130 is supported by a spider 135 which is operablyconnected to the load cell 110. The load cell is mounted onto a mountingblock 116 to the lower enclosure 124.

The coil unit 150 is illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 on the right side of theweigh platter 130, preferable for a left-to-right scanning. The spider135 has a U-shaped construction, with the central portion 135 a disposedover the load cell 110, and a first lateral extension 135 b disposed atthe front of the weigh platter 130 and second lateral extension disposedat the rear of the weigh platter 130.

The system 100 is readily convertible to a right-to-left configuration.FIGS. 11-12 illustrate the system 100 of FIGS. 7-10 reconfigured for aright-to-left scanning configuration. In FIGS. 11-12 the coil unit 150and mount bracket 156 have been moved to the left side of the housing.The spider 135 has also been rotated with the central portion 135 ashifted to the right side of the housing, with the load cell 110 andmount 116 also to the right side of the housing. The lateral extensions135 b and 135 c of the spider 135 maintain a support position below theweigh platter 130 and on opposite sides of the coil unit 150.

It is anticipated that the unit 100 may preferably be configured uponordering at the manufacturer, and then assembled in the selectedconfiguration (left-to-right or right-to-left) as ordered. By having thecomponents being interchangeable, only a single configuration for eachof (1) coil unit 150, (2) coil mount 156, (3) spider 135, (4) load cell110, and (5) bracket 116. The coil unit 150 is connected by a suitableconnector, such as an electrical cable, to electronics in the unit 100such as a printed circuit board disposed in the lower housing section120. Alternately the unit may be configured in the filed.

In order to convert from left-to-right configuration to right-to-leftconfiguration, the weigh platter 130 is removed to gain access to theother components, and then the coil unit 150, coil mount 156, spider135, load cell 110, and bracket 116 are removed. The bracket 116 is thenreinstalled onto the right side and the load cell 110 is mounted to thebracket 116. The spider 135 is rotated 180° and secured to the load cell110. Finally the coil mount 156 is installed on the left side and thecoil unit 150 reinstalled onto the coil mount. The electricalconnections to the load cell 110 and coil unit 150 are reconnected asrequired. The cables may either be provided with alternate cableconnection points on the unit or the cables may be of sufficient lengthto reach the load cell 110 or coil unit 150 in the alternate positions.

The scale system with load cell is only one example of a scanner-scaleconfiguration. For example, in an alternative embodiment where the coilunit(s) is/are mounted to the weigh platter, the weighing mechanismwould weigh the coil unit(s) along with the weigh platter and any itemsplaced thereon. The weight calibration would then adjust for theadditional weight of the coil unit(s) mounted thereon. Of course, thesystem does not require the scale and weigh platter. For example,scanners such as the Magellan® SL scanner are sold in scanner-scale andscanner-only versions. Thus the platter of any of the embodiments maymerely comprise a scanner surface. The scanner may comprise a singleplane horizontal scanner (with a horizontal window disposed in thecounter surface below a scan volume) with the deactivation unit(s)installed therein, or a single plane vertical scanner (with a verticalwindow disposed to one side of the scan volume) with the deactivationunit(s) installed therein.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment for configuring deactivation coilunit(s) on a multiplane (having both a vertical window 242 and ahorizontal window 222) or vertical scanner (having only a verticalwindow 242, the lower housing section 220 and/or the horizontal window222 being omitted). The unit 200 specifically illustrated in FIG. 13 isa multiplane scanner such as the Magellan® scanners available from PSCInc. having an upper housing section 240 containing a vertical window142 and a lower housing section 220 containing a horizontal window 222.The windows 242 and 222 are disposed in an L-shape and form a scanvolume therebetween. Alternately, the unit may be a vertical scanneronly with the horizontal window 222 omitted (with or without a weighplatter, or with or without a horizontal section). According to a firstembodiment, a coil unit 250 a is placed in the upper housing section 240behind the window 242 on the right side of the section 240. Preferablyin a left-to-right scanning configuration, the coil unit 250 a isdisposed generally downstream of the scan volume, serving todeactivating an item's EAS tag after the item's optical code has beenread by the scanner.

In a second embodiment, a coil unit 250 b is placed in the upper housingsection 240 behind the window 242 on the left (lateral) side of thesection 240. Preferable for a right-to-left scanning configuration, thecoil unit 250 b is disposed generally downstream of the scan volume,serving to deactivating an item's EAS tag after the item's optical codehas been read by the scanner.

In a third embodiment, the system 200 is provided with two coil units250 a, 250 b. In one configuration, the upstream coil unit is operativeto sense presence of an EAS tag and the downstream coil unit isoperative to deactivate an EAS tag. Alternately, both coil units(upstream and downstream) may be operative to deactivate EAS tagsaccording to a suitable operations protocol.

The coil units 250 a, 250 b are preferably of the same configuration andinterchangeable. Thus a single coil unit 250 a disposed on the rightside may be readily removed and reinstalled on the left side thusconverting the unit 200 from a left-to-right configuration to aright-to-left configuration or a single coil unit 250 b disposed on theleft side may be readily removed and reinstalled on the right side thusconverting the unit 200 from a right-to-left configuration to aleft-to-right configuration.

The enclosure of the units 250 a, 250 b may be integrated within theupper housing section 240 or may be removably connected on the outersurface of the enclosure. The housing section 240 may be formed withdetents or connectors for accommodating physical mounting and electricalconnection of the coil unit 250. Preferably the coils units 250 a, 250 bare preferably of the same configuration and interchangeable. Thus asingle coil unit 250 a disposed on the right side may be readily removedand reinstalled on the left side thus converting the unit 200 from aleft-to-right configuration to a right-to-left configuration or a singlecoil unit 250 b disposed on the left side may be readily removed andreinstalled on the right side thus converting the unit 200 from aright-to-left configuration to a left-to-right configuration.

FIGS. 14-15 illustrate yet another configuration for a reader/EASdeactivation unit 300 providing multiplane deactivation. The unit 300comprises either a vertical scanner (no horizontal window), or amultiplane scanner (vertical and horizontal windows 342, 322) withhousing sections and windows arranged in a generally L-shape. Thescanner housing 310 has (a) an upper housing section 340, (b) a lowerhousing section 320, and (c) an EAS deactivation unit comprised of twoparts: (1) a lower unit 350 a disposed in the cavity within the lowerhousing section 320 below the weigh platter 330, and to one side of thehorizontal window 322 and (2) an upper unit 350 b arranged verticallynext to the vertical window 342 in upper housing section 340. As in theprevious embodiment, the system 300 may be configured with a singledeactivation unit on one side of the windows 322, 342 or with twodeactivation units, one on either side of the windows 322, 342.

According to a first embodiment, the lower deactivation unit 350 a isplaced on the left side of the lower housing section 320. Preferably ina right-to-left scanning configuration, the deactivation unit 350 a isdisposed generally downstream of the scan volume, serving todeactivating an item's EAS tag after the item's optical code has beenread by the scanner. In order to provide better coverage for EAS tagdeactivation, a second deactivation unit 350 b is disposed in the upperhousing section 340, also to the left side of the vertical window 342and generally perpendicular to the first deactivation unit 350 b. Thedeactivation units 350 a and 350 b thus form a generally L-shapecreating a deactivation field better corresponding to the scan field.The angle at or off of 90° may be selected by the designer for theparticular scanner configuration. The units 350 a and 350 be may beseparate units, or they may be physically and/or electrically connected.

The system 300 is illustrated in FIG. 14 installed in a checkoutcounter. A retail checkstand, applicable to both the system 300 of FIGS.14-15 as well as the other embodiments described herein, would typicallyinclude a cash register with display screen, a keypad, and a checkoutcounter. The system 300 in FIG. 14 is illustrated installed within acheckout counter 375, the counter surface including a conveyor 380 onthe upstream side for transporting items to the housing 320 for aright-to-left scanning operation. The scanner housing 310 is preferablyinstalled in the checkout counter such that the window 322 and platter330 are flush with the top surface of the counter 375.

In a preferred configuration, one of the units (for example lower unit350 a) comprises a coil unit having a central core ofmagnetically-active material (e.g. iron) with an outer wire windingthrough which current is passed to create the deactivating magneticfield. The second unit (in this example upper unit 350 b) may compriseanother coil unit, but may alternately comprise merely a core ofmagnetically active material, that is, a bare core unit withoutwindings. The bare core unit 350 b acts in concert the coil unit 350 ato steer the magnetic field produced by the coil unit 350 a into thescan volume. Alternately, the coil unit may be disposed in the upperhousing section and the bare core unit disposed in the lower housingsection.

In configurations similar to alternatives described for previousembodiments, the units 350 a, 350 b may be placed on either the leftside which is preferable for a right-to-left scanning configuration, oron the right side which is preferable for left-to-right scanning, as itis believed to be preferable to locate the deactivation units generallydownstream of the scan volume, serving to deactivating an item's EAS tagafter the item's optical code has been read by the scanner. Alternately,the system 300 may be provided with unit pairs on both left and rightsides. In one configuration, the upstream unit pair is operative tosense presence of an EAS tag and the downstream unit pair is operativeto deactivate an EAS tag. Alternately, both unit pairs (upstream anddownstream) may be operative to deactivate EAS tags according to asuitable operations protocol.

The upper unit 350 b may be integrated within the upper housing section340 (e.g. formed into the enclosure itself) or may be constructed to bemounted to the inside surface, or to the outside front or lateralsurface of the enclosure. The upper housing section 340 may be formedwith detents or connectors for accommodating physical mounting andelectrical connection of the coil unit 350. Preferably the coil unitsare of the same configuration and interchangeable such that a singlecoil unit disposed on the right side may be readily removed andreinstalled on the left side and vice versa. Similarly, core unitsshould be interchangeable as between the left and right sides.

FIGS. 16-17 illustrate another configuration for a combined EAS and barcode reader 400. The data reader 410 is illustrated as an L-shapedscanner with a lower section 420 containing a horizontal scan window 422disposed in the horizontal surface or weigh platter 430, and an uppersection 440 containing a vertical scan window 442.

The deactivation unit 450 is disposed longitudinally along the directionof product movement and generally at the intersection between the lowersection 420 and the upper section 440. The deactivation unit 450 isoriented longitudinally such that its long axis is arranged parallel tothe scan direction that items are swept through the scan volume. Thisconfiguration may provide for a single configuration working equallywell for right-to-left or left-to-right sweep directions. Thedeactivation field generated may more closely match the scan volume,particularly for leading and trailing edges. The length of the unit 450may be further extended to extend the deactivation zone enabling itemsto remain in the deactivation zone for a longer period of time as theitem is swept through the scan volume. Such an extended deactivationzone may also more closely match the scan volume for leading andtrailing side labels. This position for the deactivation unit 450 mayalso simplify scale integration.

FIGS. 18-19 illustrate another configuration for a combined EAS and barcode reader 500. The data reader 510 is illustrated as an L-shapedscanner with a lower section 520 containing a horizontal scan window 522disposed in the horizontal surface or weigh platter 530, and an uppersection 540 containing a vertical scan window 542.

The deactivation unit 550 is disposed longitudinally along the scandirection of item sweep and in the lower housing section 420 distal fromthe upper housing section 440 and next to the operator (also know as“checker side”). The long axis of the deactivation unit 450 is arrangedparallel to the direction through items are swept through the scanvolume. This configuration may also provide for a single configurationworking equally well for right-to-left or left-to-right sweepdirections. The deactivation field generated may more closely match thescan volume, particularly for leading and trailing edges. The length ofthe unit 550 may be further extended to extend the deactivation zoneenabling items to remain in the deactivation zone for a longer period oftime as the item is swept through the scan volume. Such an extendeddeactivation zone may also more closely match the scan volume forleading and trailing side labels. This position for the deactivationunit 550 may also simplify scale integration.

FIGS. 20-21 illustrate yet another configuration for a combined EAS andbar code reader 600. The data reader 610 is illustrated as an L-shapedscanner with a lower section 620 containing a horizontal scan window 622disposed in the horizontal surface or weigh platter 630, and an uppersection 640 containing a vertical scan window 642.

The deactivation unit 650 is disposed longitudinally along the directionof product movement and in a top portion of the upper section or bonnet640 distal from the lower section 620. The long axis of the deactivationunit 650 is arranged parallel to the sweep direction in which items arepassed through the scan volume. This configuration may also provide fora single configuration working equally well for right-to-left orleft-to-right sweep directions. The deactivation field generated maymore closely match the scan volume, particularly for leading andtrailing edges. The length of the unit 650 may be further extended toextend the deactivation zone enabling items to remain in thedeactivation zone for a longer period of time as the item is sweptthrough the scan volume. Such an extended deactivation zone may alsomore closely match the scan volume for leading and trailing side labels.In this upper location, the deactivation unit 650 is separated from themetal casting and weigh platter 630 so that magnetic field strength maybe enhanced. Scale integration may also be simplified.

With respect to scale integration, the above embodiments of FIGS. 1-12illustrate a single load cell design. FIGS. 22-23 illustrate a combinedEAS and bar code reader with scale system 700 having two load cells 715,717. The weigh platter (shown removed) which contains the horizontalwindow 722) rests on a front spider or bar 735 and a rear spider or bar737. The front spider 735 is supported by the first load cell 715.Platter levelers 733, 734 are placed between the load cell 715 and thespider 735 for providing leveling adjustment of the weigh platter.Similarly, rear spider 737 is supported by the second load cell 717.Platter levelers 738, 739 are placed between the load cell 717 and thespider 737 for providing leveling adjustment of the weigh platter.

FIG. 24 illustrates yet another combined EAS and bar code reader withscale system 800 having a single load cell 815. The weigh platter (shownremoved) which contains the horizontal window 822) rests on load posts833, 834, 836, 837 which extend to the bottom of the lower housingsection 820 connecting onto spider 835. The spider 835 is in turnmounted onto the load cell 810. The load cell 810 is mounted onto a base856 or chassis such as the bottom of the housing section 820.

By separating the load cell 810 and spider 835, additional space isprovided for the deactivation coil 850 (or multiple coils as in previousembodiments) simplifying construction. The additional space alsosimplifies interchangeable configurations such as where the deactivationunit 850 disposed on the left lateral side of the window 822 needs to beswitched to the right lateral side.

In a preferred configuration, the core unit comprises a block ofmagnetically active material having a generally rectangularcross-section. In one configuration, the core is about 3 in (7.6 cm)wide, 1.5 in (3.8 cm) deep and 9 in (22.9 cm) long. The unit ispreferably elongated, having a length at least about three times itswidth. Alternately, the core may have a circular or oval cross-sectionof about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in diameter.

The systems described may alternately describe not only EAS deactivationunits, but also activation units or combined activation/deactivationunits usable with activatable EAS tags. In addition, the EAS tagdeactivators/activators described may include deactivation or activationof various types of EAS tags such as magnetoacoustic, magnetomechanical,magnetostrictive, RF (e.g. RFID), microwave, and harmonic type tags.Moreover, in each of the above embodiments, the deactivation units maycomprise coil units with or without internal (magnetically active) core.For example, deactivation coils without internal core are described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,917,412 incorporated by reference. The deactivationunits of the above embodiments may be controlled and operated by anysuitable scheme as known by one skilled in the art, including but notlimited to those schemes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,917,412;6,281,796; 6,169,483; and 5,059,951 hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

In the various embodiments described above, the data reader unit hasbeen generally described as a two window L-shaped bar code scanner, butother types of data readers may be combined with the EASdeactivation/activation system. The data reader may be for example alaser bar code scanner, an imaging reader, or other type of reader forreading optical codes, reading tags, or otherwise identifying itemsbeing passed through a scan/read zone.

Thus the present invention has been set forth in the form of itspreferred embodiments. It is nevertheless intended that modifications tothe disclosed scanning systems may be made by those skilled in the artwithout altering the essential inventive concepts set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for data reading and EAS deactivation,comprising a housing including a lower housing section containing alower window oriented generally horizontally and an upper housingsection containing a upper window oriented generally vertically; a datareader disposed in the housing to read an item through the upper andlower windows as the item is passed through a scan volume definedbetween the upper and lower windows; a first EAS deactivation coil unitincluding (a) a central core of magnetically active material and (b)outer winding(s) disposed around the central core, wherein the first EASdeactivation coil unit is disposed in one of the lower and upper housingsections and to one lateral side of the window therein, wherein the coilunit is constructed and arranged to be interchangeable as between onelateral side of the window to the other.
 2. A system according to claim1 wherein the first EAS deactivation coil unit is disposed in the lowerhousing section laterally to one side of the lower window.
 3. A systemaccording to claim 2 further comprising an upper deactivation unitdisposed in the upper housing section laterally to one side of the upperwindow and adjacent the first EAS deactivation coil unit in the lowerhousing section.
 4. A system according to claim 3 wherein the upperdeactivation unit comprises (a) a central core of magnetically activematerial and (b) outer winding(s) disposed around the central core,wherein the upper deactivation unit is constructed and arranged to beinterchangeable as between one lateral side of the upper window to theother.
 5. A system according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the first EASdeactivation coil unit in the lower housing section and the upperdeactivation unit are connected and arranged in an L-shape.
 6. A systemaccording to claim 3 wherein the upper deactivation unit comprises acore of magnetically active material without any windings.
 7. A systemaccording to claim 3 wherein the upper deactivation unit comprises acoil without any solid core.
 8. A system according to claim 1 whereinthe first EAS deactivation coil unit further comprises an EAS activationunit.
 9. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first EASdeactivation coil unit is disposed in the upper housing sectionlaterally to one side of the upper window.
 10. A system according toclaim 9 further comprising a lower deactivation unit disposed in thelower housing section laterally to one side of the lower window andadjacent the first EAS deactivation coil unit in the upper housingsection, the lower deactivation unit comprising a core of magneticallyactive material without any windings.
 11. A system according to claim 9further comprising a lower deactivation unit disposed in the lowerhousing section laterally to one side of the lower window, the lowerdeactivation unit comprising (a) a central core of magnetically activematerial and (b) an outer windings disposed around the central core. 12.A system according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the first EAS deactivationcoil unit in the upper housing section and the lower deactivation unitare connected and arranged in an L-shape.
 13. A system according toclaim 1 further comprising a weigh platter, the lower window disposed inthe weigh platter; an inner scan housing containing lower scannercomponents, wherein the first EAS deactivation coil unit is disposed ina cavity between the weigh platter and the inner scan housing.
 14. Asystem according to claim 1 further comprising a load cell mounted inthe lower housing section on a lateral side opposite the coil unit, theload cell supporting the weigh platter.
 15. A system according to claim1 wherein the load cell is repositionable to the opposite lateral sideof the lower housing section.
 16. A system according to claim 1 furthercomprising a checkout counter, the housing being mounted in the checkoutcounter; a conveyor disposed in the checkout counter for transportingitems to the housing, wherein the first EAS deactivation coil unit isdisposed on a lateral side of window opposite the conveyor.
 17. A systemfor data reading and EAS deactivation, comprising a housing including alower housing section containing a lower window oriented generallyhorizontally and an upper housing section containing a upper windoworiented generally vertically; a scanner disposed in the housing to readoptical codes on an item through the upper and lower windows as the itemis passed through a scan volume defined between the upper and lowerwindows; an EAS deactivation unit comprised of a first section disposedin one of the lower and upper housing sections laterally to one side ofthe window and a second section disposed in the other of the lower andupper housing sections, wherein the first section comprises a coil andthe second section comprises a core of magnetically active materialwithout windings.
 18. A system according to claim 17 wherein the firstsection EAS deactivation unit comprises an inner core of magneticallyactive material, the coil of the first section comprising windingswrapped around the inner core.
 19. A system according to claim 17wherein the housing comprises an outer enclosure, and wherein the firstsection EAS deactivation unit is mounted inside the outer enclosure. 20.A system for data reading and EAS deactivation, comprising a checkoutcounter; a scanner including a scanner housing mounted in or on thecheckout counter, and a window disposed in the scanner housing andfacing a scan volume through which items are passed; an EAS deactivationunit disposed in the scanner housing laterally to one side of the windowand downstream of the scan volume, the EAS deactivation unit comprisinga core of magnetically active material and winding(s) wrapped around thecore.
 21. A system according to claim 20 wherein the window of scanneris oriented horizontally and flush with a top surface of the checkoutcounter.
 22. A system for data reading and EAS deactivation, comprisinga housing including a window adapted for facing a scan volume; a datareader disposed in the housing to read an item through the window as theitem is passed through the scan volume; a first EAS deactivation coilunit including (a) a central core of magnetically active material and(b) outer winding(s) disposed around the central core, wherein the firstEAS deactivation coil unit is disposed in the housing adjacent to anddownstream of the window.
 23. A system according to claim 22 wherein thewindow of scanner is oriented horizontally and flush with a top surfaceof the checkout counter.
 24. A system for data reading and EASdeactivation, comprising a housing including a window adapted for facinga scan volume; a data reader disposed in the housing to read an itemthrough the window as the item is passed in a sweep direction throughthe scan volume; a first EAS deactivation coil unit including (a) anelongated central core of magnetically active material and (b) outerwinding(s) disposed around the central core, wherein the first EASdeactivation coil unit is disposed in the housing adjacent to the windowand oriented longitudinally parallel to the sweep direction of the item.25. A system according to claim 24 wherein the data reader comprises ahousing including a lower housing section containing a lower windoworiented generally horizontally and an upper housing section containinga upper window oriented generally vertically and a scanner disposed inthe housing to read optical codes on an item through the upper and lowerwindows as the item is passed through a scan volume defined between theupper and lower windows.
 26. A system according to claim 25 wherein thefirst EAS deactivation coil unit is disposed between the lower housingsection and the upper housing section.
 27. A system according to claim25 wherein the first EAS deactivation coil unit is disposed in the lowerhousing section distal from the upper housing section.
 28. A systemaccording to claim 25 wherein the first EAS deactivation coil unit isdisposed in the upper housing section distal from the lower housingsection.
 29. A system for data reading and EAS deactivation, comprisinga housing including a window adapted for facing a scan volume; a datareader disposed in the housing to read an item through the window as theitem is passed in a sweep direction through the scan volume; a first EASdeactivation coil unit including (a) an elongated central core ofmagnetically active material and (b) outer winding(s) disposed aroundthe central core, wherein the first EAS deactivation coil unit isdisposed in the housing adjacent to the window for deactivating an EAStag on an item being passed through the scan volume.
 30. A systemaccording to claim 29 wherein the data reader comprises a housingincluding a lower housing section containing a lower window orientedgenerally horizontally and an upper housing section containing a upperwindow oriented generally vertically and a scanner disposed in thehousing to read optical codes on an item through the upper and lowerwindows as the item is passed in a scan direction through a scan volumedefined between the upper and lower windows, wherein the first EASdeactivation coil unit is disposed on a lateral side of lower housingsection downstream of the lower window.
 31. A system according to claim29 wherein the data reader comprises (a) a housing including a lowerhousing section containing a lower window oriented generallyhorizontally and an upper housing section containing a upper windoworiented generally vertically and (b) a scanner disposed in the housingto read optical codes on an item through the upper and lower windows asthe item is passed in a scan direction through a scan volume definedbetween the upper and lower windows, wherein the first EAS deactivationcoil unit is disposed between the lower housing section and the upperhousing section and oriented longitudinally and parallel to the scandirection.
 32. A system according to claim 13 wherein the weigh platteris supported by extensions extending toward a bottom of the lowerhousing section, each extension connecting to a spider which is in turnmounted onto at least one load cell.
 33. A system according to claim 1further comprising a weigh platter, the lower window being disposed inthe weigh platter; a load cell mounted in the lower housing sectioncentrally between lateral sides of the lower housing section andgenerally proximate to the upper housing section.
 34. A system accordingto claim 33 further comprising a second load cell mounted in the lowerhousing section centrally between lateral sides of the lower housingsection and generally distal to the upper housing section.